BLACKBURN, ENGLAND - MAY 01: A detailed view of a Blackburn Rovers corner flag is seen prior to the Sky Bet Championship between Blackburn Rovers and Luton Town at Ewood Park on May 01, 2023 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Birmingham transfer could have domino impact on Blackburn
Birmingham City’s latest transfer activity could have a knock-on effect for Blackburn Rovers in the transfer market.
Rovers have been linked with a move for goalkeeper John Ruddy, who will be a free agent at the end of the month when his deal at St Andrew’s expires.
John Eustace has worked with Ruddy before and was touted with a move for the 37-year-old in April. The Lancashire Telegraph reported at the time that the experienced shot-stopper was not on Rovers’ radar.
However, there is increasing interest in Leopold Wahlstedt from Scandinavia and an exit has not been ruled out. Rovers signed the Swedish goalkeeper from Odd last summer but he experienced a difficult debut season at Ewood Park.
Ruddy, meanwhile, was offered a new contract by Birmingham at the end of the season. He recently revealed he would hold further talks with the club once their head coach position was resolved and has spoken to other suitors.
Chris Davies, formerly assistant manager at Tottenham Hotspur, is now in the dugout. It seems that Ruddy won’t be returning to Birmingham though.
They have signed Hull City goalkeeper Ryan Allsop on a three-year deal. He was the Tigers’ number one last season under Liam Rosenior but has been deemed disposable by new boss Tim Walter.
Allsop’s arrival is likely to signal the end of their interest in re-signing Ruddy. The 32-year-old is seen as someone capable of playing out from the back in the possession-based style that Davies wants to implement.
It remains to be seen whether Rovers might move for Ruddy, should Wahlstedt move on. The recruitment team has been overhauled since the initial stories of interest, with new Head of Recruitment John Park and Eustace taking the lead on new arrivals along with Chef Executive Steve Waggott.
Ruddy’s family is based in Norwich but travelling is not off the table for the goalkeeper, who wants to continue playing after two years of being Birmingham’s number one.
“I still want to play and that would be my first preference because I have really enjoyed playing in the last two years,” he said.
“My situation is my wife and kids stayed in Norwich when I left.
“That is purely a decision me and my wife made because the kids were happy, they were in school and settled. My son is starting full-time with Norwich in the summer and has a scholarship. My daughter is happy and my wife is incredibly supportive.
“I’ve maybe got a couple of years left playing so if something weird and wonderful comes up on the other side of the country, it’s something we would have to think about.
“I’ve lived away from home effectively for eight years so it’s difficult because you’re missing out on so much, but you are doing it for the greater good. Their life in Norwich is where we wanted it to be when we first had kids.
“If I have to travel, I will travel. The problem is there’s not that many clubs close to Norwich either!”
